Fall Aviation Program
Advanced flight training and professional development for four college-age students pursuing aviation careers.
The application for 2026 Fall Cohort will open March 1st and close on March 31st.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Launching Aviation Careers
The Tuskegee NEXT Fall Aviation Program is a highly selective "total immersion" program that will last for a semester, 8 weeks. Students must be local to Chicago, as housing is not provided. Students will receive a travel stipend to attend daily classes, including classroom instruction, simulators, flight training, and life skills development courses.
Flight Training
Participants receive intensive flight training from certified flight instructors, working toward their Private Pilot License (PPL) and Drone License (DL). The flight curriculum includes:
Ground school instruction
Approximately 55 hours of flight time
Highest standards of safety protocols
Solo flight experience
Professional Development
Beyond technical flight skills, our program emphasizes professional development to prepare cadets for successful aviation careers:
Resume building and interview preparation
Communication and leadership skills
Industry site visits and networking
One-on-one mentorship
Program Schedule
Phase 1: Ground School
The first four weeks focused on ground school, initial flight training, and fundamentals of aviation.
Phase 2: Skill Building
The middle four weeks are dedicated to intensive flight training, solo flights, and professional development.
Phase 3: Certification
Final weeks preparing for and taking the FAA written and practical exams, plus career planning.
Comprehensive Training
Our college-level programs go beyond flight training to develop the whole person. Participants will receive their Private Pilot and Drone licence, along with mentorship, career guidance, and life skills development, as part of their technical training, preparing them for long-term success in aviation.
Hands-on flight training with certified instructors
One-on-one mentorship from industry professionals
Financial literacy and professional skills development
Industry networking opportunities and site visits
Resume building and interview preparation
Questions? Where Here to Help!
Have questions about the Summer Aviation Program, the application process, or what to expect as a cadet?
Email Maeve Brady, Program Director, at mbrady@tuskegeenext.org